By The South Asia Times

Beijing/Taipei: China on Monday launched wide-ranging joint military exercises around Taiwan, deploying fighter jets, bombers, unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range rocket forces in what Beijing described as a firm warning to “Taiwan independence” forces and foreign interference.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, the drills—code-named “Justice Mission 2025”—are being conducted by the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command across the Taiwan Strait and in multiple directions surrounding Taiwan, including areas to the island’s north, southwest, southeast and east.

Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, said the exercises focus on precision strikes against mobile ground targets and are designed to test the PLA’s joint combat capabilities under real combat-like conditions. He said naval and air forces are operating in close proximity to Taiwan from multiple directions, simulating coordinated assaults and long-range strike operations.

“These drills serve as a stern warning and strong deterrent against separatist forces advocating ‘Taiwan independence,’ and against external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs,” Shi said, calling the exercises “legitimate and necessary” to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beijing did not disclose how long the drills would last.

Taiwan swiftly condemned the exercises, describing them as destabilizing and provocative. The island’s Ministry of National Defense said the military had activated rapid-response drills and placed its forces on high alert to monitor and respond to PLA movements.

“We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations that undermine regional peace and stability,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X, adding that Taiwan’s armed forces are prepared to defend the island and protect its population.

The latest drills come amid heightened cross-strait tensions and follow a pattern of increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan in recent years, including frequent air and naval patrols, missile tests, and large-scale exercises. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control, while Taiwan maintains its de facto independence with strong political and security backing from the United States and its allies.